Aitkin, Minnesota

Aitkin, Minnesota
City
Location of Aitkin, Minnesota
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Aitkin
Government
• Mayor	Gary Tibbets
Area
• Total	1.7 sq mi (4.5 km2)
• Land	1.7 sq mi (4.5 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,211 ft (369 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	1,984
• Density	1,150.3/sq mi (444.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	56431
Area code	218
FIPS code	27-00460Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0639235Template:GR
Website	www.ci.aitkin.mn.us

Aitkin is a city in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,984 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Aitkin CountyTemplate:GR.

The Aitkin Municipal Airport is located at the northeast side of town.

U.S. Route 169 and Minnesota State Highways 47 and 210, and County Road 15 are four of the main arterial routes in the city.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,984 people, 892 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,150.3 people per square mile (445.4/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 561.8/sq mi (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.33% White, 0.15% African American, 1.31% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population. 30.4% were of German, 16.6% Swedish, 12.3% Norwegian and 6.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 892 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.3% were non-families. 46.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 30.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 76.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,574, and the median income for a family was $38,071. Males had a median income of $30,577 versus $21,641 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,471. About 13.1% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

History and culture

• The city and county were named for William Alexander Aitkin, a partner of the American Fur Company and chief factor of the company's regional operations in the early 19th century.
• American film actress and singer Judy Garland performed at the opera house in Aitkin as a young child. A small display related to Ms. Garland can be found in the converted opera house, now Butler's store, in downtown Aitkin.
• Aitkin is home of the World Famous Fish House Parade, which occurs annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This event was noted in a 2003 documentary which aired on the Home and Garden Channel. An interview from Aitkin resident, Jason Kezar, was featured.
• Aitkin is the home of the country comedy band Shotgun Red.
• Warren William was an resident of Aitkin.

Festivals

The city's annual festivals include:

• Riverboat Heritage Days - in July.
• The Aitkin County Fair - annually at the beginning of August, with an exception to 2008.
• Moonlight Madness - around Labor Day weekend.
• Festival of Adventures and the Mud River Music Fest - in September.
• World Famous Fish House Parade takes place on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
• County Road Classics Fly-In Drive in takes place on the last Sunday in June.

Notable natives

• Warren William was a Broadway and film actor born in Aitkin.
• Jean Keene, known nationwide as the "Eagle lady" of the Homer Spit, was born in Aitkin.

Education

Aitkin High School educates students in grades seven through twelve in the Aitkin School District. Rippleside Elementary educates students grades preschool to sixth grade.

External links

• City website
• Aitkin Aviation